RUA'S TRIAL

Southland Times, Issue 17785, 14 July 1916, Page 5

RUA'S TRIAL

Til F- FINAL STAGES. ■ (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July I::. Una's trial entered upon the thirtieth day. At the outset .fudge Chapman said: "Well, gentlemen I think we may say that we have established a record so far as a trial in New Zealand is concerned. I one- had a similar case which lasted "S days, hut I don't know of any longer. 1 can only once again express my sympathy with you. We are a band of martyrs. and should remain such for the rest of our lives." (Smiles in the jury box.) Crown Prosecutor; 'I hope wo may share in the sympathy your honour.” I 1 -angii ter.) His Honour (to the jury): 'All we can say gentlemen is that the end is in sight, bin. we are not there yet.' 1 Counsel for the defence; "I may say that I did my best to prevent the case from coming to Auckland." His Honour: "I dont know that it would have been any Viet ter for the country to have submitted the case to a company of dairy farmers. .1 don't know what the cows would have thought." Mr London: "The rows arc on strike until August." Una continued his evidence, hill owing to hemorrhage of the nose an adjournment was necessary, and later Una again suffering from the trouhb- tin- case was adjourned until to-morrow. During Ids evidence Hu- ''prophet" told of events -it Wai-iti on February l"th, the occasion of the alleged uttering of seditious language. He said in- wanted the police to take tlie initiative and quietly holding out ids hands told them to arrest him. He did not say anything in criticism of Mr liver, S.M. Later Una took up his narrative at tlie point where tin- Hod. A. T. Ngata, Parliamentary representative for the Eastern Maoris. visited Maungapohatu. Prisoner told Ngata. that rumours of his fortilieathuis, of his cannons, and of his machine-guns' were all lies. In connection with If)I 1 ami lair, "sly-grog" charges he had already paid a tine of tins and served a sentence of liner- months ju Auckland gaol. Ngata said: "Stay where yon air-, ( will carry your pajiers to Wellington, have a further scrutiny made, and whatever tlie result I will communicate with you.” Mr Ngata wrote him on March 13th, but the letter did not contain a reference to the fine of £IOB which he had paid.